Eleanor, however, became
aware of their project in time to despatch a letter to her son,
begging him to come to her rescue. He was already moving southward
when her courier met him on July 30th as he was approaching Le Mans.
By marching day and night he and his troops covered the whole distance
between Le Mans and Mirebeau--eighty miles at the least--in
forty-eight hours, and appeared on August 1, 1202, before the besieged
castle. The enemies had already taken the outer ward and thrown down
all the gates save one, deeming their own valor a sufficient safeguard
against John's expected attack. So great was their self-confidence
that they even marched out to meet him. Like most of those who at one
time or another fought against John, they underrated the latent
capacities of their adversary. They were driven back into the castle,
hotly pursued by his troops, who under the guidance of William des
Roches forced their way in after the fugitives, and were in a short
time masters of the place. The whole of the French and Poitevin forces
were either slain or captured; and among the prisoners were the three
Lusignans and Arthur.
Philip was at that moment busy with the siege of Arques; on the
receipt of these tidings he left it and turned southward, but he
failed, or perhaps did not attempt, to intercept John, who, bringing
his prisoners with him, made his way leisurely back to Falaise.
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